Literacy is one of the best gifts a parent can give to their child. The Goshen Public Library started the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program to help parents increase their child’s success, both in literacy and in life. It is a self-paced program allowing parents and caregivers to decide how often and how long you read to your child.

If 1,000 books sounds overwhelming, don’t worry! If you read 3 books to your child every day for one year, you’ll have read 1,095 books! But the most rewarding result is the bonding you and your child will experience. Haz clic aqui para detalles en español.

By reading to your child, you can help your child to learn the following:

Print Motivation

Vocabulary

Print Awareness

Letter Knowledge

Phonological Awareness

Narrative Skills

Here’s how it works:

1. Come to the Children’s Desk and sign up for the reading log; we furnish you with a binder and a log to keep track of what you read to your child.

2. Once you finish the first grouping of 100 books, come in with your binder and get the next log of 100 books.

3. Come in each time you are ready for a new log. When you reach the 400-500 mark, we will give you a different insert with information on reading and child development.

4. When you have finished the reading log and reach your 1,000 books, make sure you come to the Children’s desk and tell our staff that you finished the program; we will have a gift from the library for your child!

The beauty of this program is that you can read the same book 10 times, if that is what your child wants to hear. Repetition is great for your child to learn sequencing and story order We encourage you to keep reading to your child beyond the 1,000 books, setting your own reading goals with your child. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask Laura or Tina at the Children's desk.